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06 Feb

Modeling plated nickel nuclei population growth on carbon substrates

Since the NICKEFFECT projects aims at replacing platinum catalyst based PEM Fuel Cell (FC) cathodes by porous graphite electrodes that are covered with nickel alloy (nano-)particles, the plating process for creating these nickel nuclei populations must be properly understood and controlled. Same as for Water Electrolysis (WE) cells, the use of porous electrodes allows creating a high surface to volume ratio. The throwing power of a full coverage nickel alloy plating process into a porous structure as for example a carbon fiber cloth is limited (WE cathodes), and the same holds for a nucleation plating process into a porous carbon structure (FC cathodes). But whereas the main specifications in case of a full coverage nickel alloy plating process for WE cathodes involve primarily the local plating layer thickness and alloy content, for FC cathodes practically all local characteristics of the nuclei population are of importance, involving nuclei density, nuclei size...

27 Jan

UNE speaks at the European Commission’s event on Knowledge Valorisation

by Laura Cyrne

in Articles, News

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On December 10, the stakeholder meeting organized by the European Commission on “Driving EU prosperity: The future of Knowledge Valorisation” took place in Brussels, with live streaming broadcast. The program, introduced by Maria Cristina Russo, Director Prosperity Directorate from DG Research and Innovation, included, among other topics, panels on Industry and Academia Co-Creation, Socially Responsible Licensing or Effective Management of Standards and Intellectual Property. UNE, the NICKEFFECT's partner for standardization, participated in this roundtable about Standardization and IP. UNE is the European standardization body with the largest number of participations in European research and innovation (R&I) projects, with around 120 funded ones, among which NICKEFFECT is one of those currently in progress. Fernando Utrilla, Head of the R&I Unit at UNE, conveyed to the event participants the best practices to take advantage of the benefits of standardization in these projects, as well as the lessons learned and recommendations to improve performance...

06 Jan

Catalyst degradation mechanisms in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers

by Laura Cyrne

in Articles, News

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Hydrogen is recognised as a clean energy carrier that could play a key role in reducing global carbon emissions. In Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEM WE), the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) takes place at the cathode, where protons from the acidic electrolyte combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. Catalysts are essential to this process, as they reduce the activation energy required for the reaction. Noble metals such as platinum are the benchmark materials for HER catalysts due to their exceptional activity and stability. However, their scarcity and high cost limit large-scale adoption. Non-noble catalysts, including transition metal-based materials such as nickel, molybdenum, and cobalt compounds, are attractive alternatives due to their lower cost and abundance. Despite these advantages, non-noble catalysts are more susceptible to degradation under the acidic conditions of PEM WE. The degradation of non-noble metal catalysts can arise from several processes, which often are interdependent. While the...

Modeling plated nickel nuclei population growth on carbon substrates

UNE speaks at the European Commission’s event on Knowledge Valorisation

Catalyst degradation mechanisms in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers

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